Gerrard anticipates changes

27 Jun 2010 20:20:03

Skipper Steven Gerrard expects there to be changes in the England squad for the Euro 2012 campaign but he has urged Fabio Capello to remain as manager.

The chances of the so called 'Golden Generation' to win a major tournament may have ended after England were beaten 4-1 in their World Cup second round match by Germany in Bloemfontein. The likes of Gerrard, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Emile Heskey are already over 30 while David James will be 40 in August.

"Everyone in the dressing room is hurting, the coaching staff and the players. We'll go away in the summer and analyse things personally and the team," said Gerrard.

"We'll have to see what the future holds. We've got an experienced team and players who are getting on.

"I'm sure they'll be changes by the time the next tournament comes around. But they're questions you'll have to ask the manager."

As for Capello's future, Gerrard said: "I'm sure Fabio will stay and he'll address his own situation very soon.

"I don't know when. Personally I'd like him to stay as I think he's a fantastic manager but that's my opinion."

Gerrard refused to lay the blame for England's failure down to the match officials not allowing a 38th minute equaliser when Frank Lampard's shot had clearly crossed the goal-line.

He said: "If you look at the game as a whole we've been beaten by the better team. At 2-1 if Frank's goal would have counted it could have been a turning point in the game, but we can't use that as an excuse. They've scored four goals and we only got one, which tells it's own story.

"We made too many mistakes as a team. Germany were more organised than us and were more clinical. They got in five or six times and scored four goals so you've got to give them credit. Germany were the better team over the 90 minutes, but even at 2-0 and 2-1 I had confidence we could win the game. The third goal was the killer."